Trevor M. Bates DHSc AT
Distinguished Alumni | Sumner Academy of Arts and Science | Class of 1998
Dr. Trevor M. Bates is a mission-driven executive leader with more than two decades of experience spanning higher education, healthcare, regulated professions, and nonprofit governance. He currently serves as Vice President for Advancement and Strategic Ventures at Ohio Wesleyan University.
A 1998 graduate of Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, Dr. Bates earned a Doctor of Health Sciences in Leadership and Organizational Behavior from A.T. Still University, a master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Millikin University. He is also a nationally certified athletic trainer licensed in Ohio.
Dr. Bates has served as President and CEO of Mercy College of Ohio and Wilmington College, leading strategic planning, organizational transformation, accreditation, and philanthropic growth. His accomplishments include completing a $45 million campaign ahead of schedule, expanding campus diversity, and strengthening healthcare education and workforce pathways. He also serves in board, finance, regulatory, and accreditation leadership roles, including with United Church Homes and the State of Ohio’s Athletic Training Section. Across each role, Dr. Bates is known for collaborative leadership, sound governance, and a commitment to developing people and mission-driven institutions.
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